STEPH BELPH HIKAGE POWER HOUR

[psychedelica]

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week super0 friday

[psychedelica]

i made a separate post because i'm a dumbass

week 0, wednesday evening

[psychedelica]

[ luckily, it's not too difficult for them to meet - it's early enough that nobody knows what's going on yet, and everyone's left milling around. Hikage, at least, is drowning in free time, and while it's pleasant enough that he gets to be outdoors this time instead of locked inside a manor or confined (largely) to a castle, a prison is still a prison. If he lingers too long, he can feel the doubt crawling under his skin again the way it used to.

So he tries to focus on working. And for right now, the only thing he's working on is getting out of here - making sure Steph and Belph do, at least, if nothing else. He doesn't trust anybody else here; he's taken them behind the residential area, off to the side, hoping they won't be bothered. ]

... I'm guessing yours changed, too, [ he says, holding up the travel guide. ]

[vigilantics]

[ honestly she has been waiting for how long it was gonna take for someone to bring this up and this was sooner than she expected. good work.

but she nods her head at the question. ]

Yup! Gotta love it.

[axilium]

[honestly yea]

War flashbacks... terrible war flashbacks...

[psychedelica]

I figured based on those lists.

[ it really is exactly like the castle... SIGH! At least they're well-prepared compared to the others. Hikage tucks the brochure back in one of his pockets. ]

... I'm going to tell you everything. I don't care if you want to return the favor. I just want to help you. [ blunt as ever. He has the scrunchie around one wrist, which he holds up. ] Mine's purple. It's "Resisting a Rest." There's a chance I can stay awake on Thursdays.

[vigilantics]

[ she opens her mouth, like she's about to respond with something, but then pauses as she actually

takes in what he said. ]

That's useful, but you... really would have to be careful with that.

week 1 wacky *THURSDAY

[psychedelica]

[ hey there fellas, we're out near the bonfire today because it just seems like a sensible place to meet up! Even if the meeting is clandestine. Don't worry, Hikage made sure there wasn't anyone else around.

There are probably a lot of things that could be said between them now, but, predictably, Hikage isn't going to say any of them. ]

You two should stay with me tonight.

[vigilantics]

[ she blinks in surprise. ]

I'm staying outside.

[ obviously? she wants clues ]

[axilium]

... I'm pretty sure all of my other roommates except for Natalie are bailing, and I'd rather not leave her alone, just in case.

[logically, he knows his presence makes zero difference, but the last time? he didn't stay with someone when ominous things happened? he came back to learn they'd all been fuckin murdered when he wasn't there, so. bad.]

[psychedelica]

I didn't mean in my cabin. I wouldn't subject you to that.

[ they were gone last time but Hikage isn't going to count on his luck every time... ]

I'm going to stay outside, too. That would be the most useful thing to do with my power. If you stay with me, I can watch over you. [ a beat. ] ... I was lying about my gun. I've still got bullets left.

[ he looks over at Belph. ]

... You staying there won't do her any good, anyway. You'll just stay asleep.

[vigilantics]

[ she frowns. especially at the gun mention. ]

... even if they just fall asleep, it still helps knowing you're not by yourself, you know?

[ the time between the doors locking and the sleep effect activating is A Lot. ]

Anyway, that's under the assumption that if someone kills, it'll happen after we're sleeping.

week 1, friday

[vigilantics]

[ ASSUMING THIS IS LIKE, RIGHT AFTER THEY CAN ALL LEAVE THEIR CURFEW AREAS AND BODY ANNOUNCEMENT HAS OCCURRED.

but whenever the two of them make it to the lake, they'll see steph? she is squatting down on the dock, staring into the water. hm. ]

[axilium]

[yo.]

Good to see you're not dead.

[psychedelica]

[ thank GOD steph is not dead. Hikage is visibly relieved to see her. ]

... We were worried. [ a beat. ] Sorry. I couldn't make it here in time last night.

[vigilantics]

Don't worry about it. Hilariously, Sanji and Yasusada were there too. And Chuuya and Dazai.

[ three grimm gremlins and poor gays ]

Did you get locked in the cabin?

[axilium]

Popular camping spot, I see. Yu wasn't?

week 2, thursday

[psychedelica]

[ Hello. Welcome to ox cabin. There may or may not be a cat and/or a dancing rave crab in here somewhere, but don't worry about that. Hikage always tries not to! He's put a clean sheet on the ground like a picnic blanket for them to sit on while they eat, because, yes, he's prepared dinner for them. With everything in the mess hall being weirdly spicy, he's been forced to cook for himself basically every day - which means, naturally, he's ended up with more portions than he could eat on his own, and he's not about to waste them.

(Really, he just wanted to do something for them. There's a small variety of traditional dishes, and while they're not gourmet quality, they're certainly competent.) ]

I'm trying again tonight.

[vigilantics]

[ a cat and rave crab are the best things in this cabin what are you talking about.... let her pet pennyworth

but she'll nod. ]

Alright, be careful. I'm staying with Dick.

[axilium]

I can stay with you. Looks like the rest of my cabin is splitting for the night, anyway.

[psychedelica]

... With any luck, mine will be, too. They haven't been around every other week.

[ he looks relieved that Belph is staying with him. For one thing, it'll give him someone to confirm his alibi with, although considering their friendship, it might not be the strongest evidence. More than that, though, it means he's got a better chance of being able to protect him. ]

I'm surprised Belph's the cooperative one tonight. [ tilting his head at Steph. ] Where are you going?

[vigilantics]

Not entirely sure yet, but probably the nurse's office?

[ she pokes at the food ]

I owe Dick, so the least I can do is make sure he has someone to back up his effect this week.

week 6, saturday

[psychedelica]

[ there's a lot to talk about, and a lot of things he still has to explain or apologize for or whatever else - but for now, Hikage's mostly just relieved, the nerves he's had for days settling. He just has one burning question. ]

... I need one of you to tell me what an Olive Garden Pasta Pass is.

[ he's too embarrassed to ask anyone else. thank you. ]

[vigilantics]

Oh. It's just something for a restaurant. I guess it gives you a lot of pasta from it?

[ ... ]

I'm not super big on Olive Garden. Hopefully the snake will be entertained, I guess.

[axilium]

Can't believe the secret all along was pasta.

[psychedelica]

... A restaurant?

[ he barks out a short laugh, then slumps down into a sitting position. ]

Something stupid like that...

[ he's so tired ]